Wednesday, November 29, 2006

If you love your trails, meet at the Corby Stretching Station at 8:00AM on Saturday. Bring your bike and we can ride afterward. The Frankenstein dog might even make an appearance. Rusty will whip out his chain saw... but don't let that deter you. Javier will whip out his blower... but don't let that entice you. Shawn will be wandering around the woods... so look out.

With a few of these folks hitting it hard, we should be able to knock out a couple miles of trails out pretty quick. The more the merrier. Bring your favorite tool. Here is a list of what we need -

Saturday, November 25, 2006

The dog and I hit Corby this morning. On the second lap Wednesday took off after a rabbit. Somewhere in the brush she got hung up on something sharp. Finally came limping back with a 6-8" laceration that made it into the chest muscle. I wasn't sure what was the problem at first, until I saw the red badge of honor. Had to coax her out of the woods for nearly a mile to get to the car. The fine doctors at East Hills Animal Clinic cleaned her up and got her back in my hands within a couple hours. She is a little goofy tonight, but seems to be resting comfortably.

On top of that, my phone won't forward pictures and I can't even share the gorey details.

The good news is that Shawn hooked me up with the new Cannodale today. It is sweet and I can't wait to ride it. The bad news is that I can't post a picture of it either, so here is a picture of an equivalent set up.

Now imagine this bike with a yellow Headshok instead of a Lefty. On my last frame, I allowed the rear shock to run most of its specified travel. I think this might have been part of the problem with the chain stay breakage. The frame has no pivot point, and it is only a matter of time before that "carpet fiber" chain stay gives up the fight. This time I am going to run it tight. I don't care if I get the crap knocked out of me - it's going to be a stiff rear end.

It a good thing that there are no snakes and poison oak out in winter! I have the rest of the section marked accross from corby. Let me say that it will be screaming fast because I followed the contor lines as close as I could. The down side is about following contor lines instead of swinging around obsticals is all the down timber. There are logs everywhere across the marked trail. Everything is marked clearly so it would be very helpful if those of you with chainsaws could start cuting what you could out of the way. Those without chainsaws could start cuting small brush out with clipers. Those without clipers could use a rake to clear path of leaves and sticks. If you don't have any of those just get creative. The more we can get done before or during the time the prisoners on the work crew are clearing the trails the more we will get done. There is even talk of getting them longer to do more if we have enough support. That would allow us to get the old girl scout camp done too adding at least 5-7 more trails to the 4-5 we are going to finnish in a few weeks. That is the posibility of 12 miles of new trails done before spring adding to the 4.5 miles at corby. 16 to 20 miles of trail just think about that, that doesn't even count krug! The city needs to see we are serious about this. Lets have a work day and get everyone together say next Sat. and put a big dent in it. Call me at the shop 816-279-1500 lets make arrangements.

Sorry about no posts or rides for the last couple days. Went to Lincoln and rode with a buddy through Wilderness Park. In the last year there have been a couple head on collisions out there with broken bones and broken frames. This was one of the worst for bikes. It was some carnage and I really hope they make that park into a loop before someone gets killed. It is bound to happen. I took photos of the bike damage, but there is something wrong with my phone and I lost them. Here is the link to one of the wreck participant's blogs.

I heard she is still racing in the Jingle Cross race today. Good luck Syd. Dave is out of a frame again, but has one on hand as a warranty replacement after breaking a Gary Fissure at Krug. Hey JSpell, haven't you broken a G.F. or two at Krug? Anyway, in the collission Dave's frame was destroyed. The down tube and top tube ripped nearly in half. I couldn't believe no one was killed.

Stay safe folks.

Planning to ride both Sunday and Saturday, but at odd times. Jazzercise is opening up a new center in STJ and my wife is the boss. Trying to help clean up the place before folks start sweating on the floor.

Post a time if you are going and I will try to catch up - although I won't promise anything.

For more entertainment: here is a commentary on the evils of corporate america followed by more pictures of the Nebraska Championship Cyclocross Race from the perspective of "Holligan Hill". http://www.jedionabike.blogspot.com

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Okay, for those of you whom want to gauge your outdoor riding to something... as another form of training for next season and/or just for fun... I'm going to kinda of keep track of the time it takes to do the 2 3/4 mile loop that is still pretty cleared at Corby and also the wood chip trail at MWSU which I forget right now how long that one is... I'll mention it next time I make comment to this post. Others can post your times as a comments also, so we can keep track of them in the same place.Today Lansen and I did the Corby loop in just or shy of 20 minutes. My best time at MWSU is 9 min & 49 seconds... love going fast on that course!

After Lansen & Jim left, I headed over there and ran into Brian (don't know last name) and his son in law, whom just finished riding Krug. Told him about this website/blog and Brian will try to hook up on T or W nite rides after he gets a light.

Did the entire outside perimeter loop at Krug and I'd say only 10-20% of trail was leaf covered... it was so obvious where Lansen had gone in and blow leaves off trail. Thank you very much. Overall the trail was very sticky and and it's so nice to zoom (my definition of zoom) through the cleared sections, which again was majority. Still no trees or new obstacles to worry about.

Oh, forgot to mention that a horse dropped a very large bomb on the trail... near where the Lamas live... I'm so happy that I put on my mud guards! It was disgusting!! I thought horses aren't allowed back there? I didn't see any traces of hoof prints so it really took me by surprice when I came up on it.

Another cool thing about having the trails cleared of leaves is that you can come across a lot more wild life... can't tell you how many birds I scared off... way cool!

Javier says "I am the man!" Jim says "If you say so..."Javier and I did 3 laps at Corby this afternoon. Trail conditions were good, weather was in the mid-40s. Ran into Jim on the last lap and finished it out with him. Good times. Only one wreck, and guess who it was... That's right, it was me. Ran out of steam on the rocky uphill, and lucky there was some sharp rocks there to stop my knee from falling any further. Almost shed a tear, damn!

After lap 3 I went home to support the wife's Jazzercise effort. Those ladies are animals!

Also, checked out some of the Corby Extension trail markings before Javier arrived. Looks like it is going to be cool. Shawn is definately the savant when picking out new trails, it all just looks like trees to me. Can't wait to start breaking them in!

It was a beautiful morning at Krug. Trails are in decent condition, although leaves are still an issue in some places. After leaf blowing some of the trails yesterday afternoon, I am not sure it was worth it. Pictures are of trails that were not groomed. Groomed sections are cleaner, but not all connected. Some of the chutes and rutted climbs were so clogged with leaves they could not be removed with the leaf blower, and attempts at grooming may have made them worse. Might try to clear them with a rake today. not sure yet.

Some corners and climbs were covered with frosty leaves, which was especially hazardous. No wrecks though.

Was geared too high (2x1) for the trail, so ended up walking some of the climbs - the above picture being one of the walker hills.

Meeting Javier at Corby for a ride at 1:30 - anyone is welcome to join us.

Friday, November 17, 2006

Corby Extention Saturday - Shawn will be flagging new trails as mentioned in the earlier post - probably starting at 7:30 AM. I'm sure he would love company if folks are interested. He is a trail building fool, and has a real knack for laying out trails that limit erosion and maximize available real estate. Sounds like the new stuff is going to be pretty sweet.

Krug Maintenance Saturday- Planning to visit Krug in the afternoon to blow some of the leaves off existing trails. May not get through the whole loop, but am looking forward to clearing a fair part of it. Will be joined by the dog, who is more than obliged to sniff your butt if you'd like to pay a visit. Not sure what time, but I'm thinking around 2:00 PM. Planning to get some before and after shots of some trail sections to show how nice the trails are after being groomed.

(if you would like to join in on either activity, leave a comment and I will respond with contact information and/or meeting times)

Looking to ride at Krug tomorrow in the AM - shooting for 7:30. Thinking about two laps, but will have to see if the legs hold out. The ss is geared pretty high, and it is a push getting up most of the hills at Corby, let alone the straight-up, rooty, leafy, lung busters at Krug. However, after watching those pros from the Cannondale Demo Days do the entire loop in their big rings, I believe anything is possible. I had never considered doing those hills in the big ring.... psychos.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Here is a crappy picture of my new ride. The frame feels a little small, and the seat post is extended way too far. Need to order a really long post I guess.

First Thursday Night ride was a success. There were 4 of us and we had a good time. Took a lap. Chatted in the parking lot for a bit over a beer, then dropped back in for another one. The dog joined us and didn't cause any wrecks as far as I could tell. I got some pooh on my tire, which then somehow made it onto my glove, which then of course wiped some snot off my nose. I wouldn't say the rest of the ride stunk, but I sure did. I want to believe that it was not my dog that crapped on the trail, but not many would accuse her of being very smart. Anyway, it was dark and guilt can't be proven.

Plan for another ride on Tuesday night at 6:30. Hopefully we will get some regulars for both rides.

Shawn is planning some trail work on Saturday AM. He some how wrangled some help from an unlikely source. I'll let him comment on that.... Anyone that can make it out to build some trails should join in the fun. I'm thinking I would like to get to Krug to do some much need trail work this weekend. Let me know if there are any interested parties.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Somehow my NR TrailRat wasn't working. Thankfully, my Blackburn System X3 was worked like a champ. Still, one light on the handlebar isn't as effective as two or three.I'm open for recommendations on a helmet lamp that doesn't require a cord dangling down to my backpack... for local night rides when not going out too long & so don't like to carry a backpack/hydration pack. More specifically looking for something bright that can simply clamp to helmet... right now my Blackburn system does come with helmet mount but because the strap goes around & inside helmet, the helmet no longer fits as well.

After doing one loop at the nicely groomed Corby, I rode on the sidewalk to Krug. Started out on Krug trail the same way as the race course this summer. There first section was fairly clear of leaves... must get a lot of activity. Still have to BE CAREFULl of roots... I almost biffed on a very small root that crossed trail right before a turn... yes, the tortoise was going too fast!

Regardless, Krug is still very rideable, even with leaves on the trai... I think mostly due to fact that all the hard work trimming the foilage for the race this summer didn't get a chance to grow back... so even though majority of trail is leave covered, one can clearly tell where the trails are.

By the way, thanks to whomever placed that bridge over primary creek somwhere in middle of trails... only one more bridge needed and I won't have to get my bike dirty! ;0)

A rep. from the city and I walked and marked the new trail section across from corby. This new section will be very fast with gradual climbs and long flowing decents. Some sections will be an eighth of a mile of wide open flow, as fast as you can pedal! We discovered a bridge in the middle to cross a creek that was cool. I estimate there is anothe five miles worth of trails back there. I'll post work times when I know when we will be working out there.

Spent most of the morning clearing sticks and leaves with a leaf blower on something like 4 miles of the loop at Corby Pond Saturday Morning. Last week I cleared down trees and larger debris with a rake and saw. End result - trail is in great shape. Conditions are fast, dry, and safe. Even new sections are in good shape, and are very rideable.

Went back in the afternoon and did 3 laps with the dog (see above). Ran into a couple guys out riding the trails for the first time. I heard their voices through the trees a number of times commenting on how awesome the trails are. We are lucky to have this area - Thanks to the bike shop guy for carving all the new sections this summer!

Still didn't stop me from doing an endo on one of the log crossings. Usually run it with the cross bike, but thought I would ride it this time. Pretty much ate dirt.

Going to start putting together a Tuesday Nite Ride for all interested parties. I think I might even bring some beers for a break at the Fire Pit for all interested parties.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

No kidding, St. Joe has some of the best mt. biking around. Technical, fun, fast hilly. There are a number of trails right in town and each has a very distinct flavor. Would really like to get a weekly night ride going - and hope to grow that group to some weekend rides, a pub crawl or two, and regularly scheduled beer rides. I also believe there could be some great local, good-time races on the local courses. Finally, I want to organize a trail maintenance group - with over 15 miles of single track right in the city limits, we need help to keep/make these trails sweet.